Watch Jack Bruce on Fretless Warwick in a Newly Resurfaced 1991 Take on “Smiles and Grins”

Jack Bruce fans have a fresh treat this week with a newly resurfaced video on his official YouTube channel. The clip captures a 1991 performance of “Smiles and Grins” from the Jazzgipfel festival in Stuttgart where Bruce joined Kip Hanrahan’s ensemble. It is a rare full look at Bruce in this period and a reminder of just how electrifying his playing and presence could be on stage.

Bruce is on his fretless Warwick and the tone is instantly recognizable. The combination of the Warwick paired with his Trace Elliot head and Hartke cabinet gives him that singing midrange and focused low end that defined so much of his later live sound. He moves from lyrical phrasing to sharp rhythmic accents, just a master class of fretless bass.

It is always exciting when new footage from Bruce’s catalog surfaces and this one feels especially special. The performance is tight the mix is clear and the camera work offers a great look at his right hand approach throughout the tune. Fans of Jack Bruce’s fretless work will want to spend time with this one.